'EastEnders' Zack Hudson will be diagnosed with HIV.
James Farrar as Zack Hudson
The BBC soap have teamed up with the Terrence Higgins Trust to help raise awareness of the condition from diagnosis, to treatment options, to living with the virus, with the hard-hitting plot set to kick off next week.
The chef - who is played by James Farrar - will meet with an old friend, Brett, who tells him he has HIV and urges his pal to get tested, with him eventually told he also has the virus.
Ian Green, Chief Executive of The Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “It’s been incredible to work with 'EastEnders' on Zack’s story to show people across the UK that an HIV diagnosis doesn’t have to stop you from living life to the fullest.”
The organisation previously worked with the soap when Mark Fowler (Todd Carty) contracted HIV in the 1990s and they hope the new storyline will show how treatment options have progressed in that time.
Ian added: “During the height of the HIV epidemic in the 1990s, we worked with EastEnders on Mark Fowler’s story to ensure HIV was portrayed accurately on screen.
“Mark was the first mainstream British TV character to be diagnosed with HIV.
“His story was viewed by millions and helped change attitudes about the virus when fear and misinformation was rife.
“Over 30 years on from Mark’s storyline and sadly myths about HIV are still held by far too many people.
“The incredible progress we’ve made around HIV means people on effective HIV treatment can’t pass on the virus and can have a normal lifespan.
“We hope that Zack’s storyline will educate viewers on the reality of HIV in 2023 and spark conversations in living rooms across the UK.”
'EastEnders' bosses welcomed the charity's help.
Showrunner Chris Clenshaw said: “'EastEnders' has never shied away from covering sensitive issues and Zack’s story is one of these.
“There are still so many myths and disinformation surrounding HIV, so working closely with Terrence Higgins Trust has enabled us to really understand what it is like for those that are diagnosed with HIV and we hope that this storyline will bring more awareness of HIV and what it is like to live with the virus in 2023.”